Chapter 2046: Ye Yuan's Test

"I am willing! Disciple Ning Siyu pays respects to Master!"

Ning Siyu's face was filled with ecstasy, and she knelt directly before Ye Yuan.

When she raised her head again, Ning Siyu was already in tears.

Ever since she witnessed Ye Yuan's stunning alchemy back then, Ning Siyu had been deeply captivated by him.

Xuan Yu had long been unable to teach Ning Siyu, and changing masters was only natural.

But to become a disciple of Ye Yuan—how could that be so easy?

Over the years, cultivating by Ye Yuan's side, she had strained every nerve to catch up with his pace and gain his recognition.

Unfortunately, the gap between her and Ye Yuan only grew wider.

Until today, she finally earned Ye Yuan's approval. How could Ning Siyu not weep for joy?

"So... Ning Siyu really was just Ye Zongshi's maidservant!"

"A mere maidservant with such terrifying strength—Ye Zongshi's skill in teaching disciples is truly remarkable!"

"Alas, I didn't make the top twenty, or I'd definitely give it a try. If I could become Ye Zongshi's disciple, that would be soaring to the heavens!"

...

On the square, tens of thousands of gazes were fixed on Ning Siyu, filled with utmost envy.

As for the thirty-nine, beyond envy, they were even more filled with trepidation.

None of them knew if Ye Yuan would choose them, but they were willing to gamble.

Once chosen by Ye Yuan, it would be a meteoric rise.

Since Ye Yuan was bound to step into the Ancestor Realm in the future, what difference was there between choosing Ye Yuan and choosing an Ancestor Realm powerhouse?

On the masters' dais, Ye Yuan slowly nodded, accepting the bow with composure, and then spoke slowly: "As for the rest, all disperse."

Everyone's expressions changed drastically, looking at Ye Yuan in disbelief.

"Ye Zongshi, this... this... please reconsider!" Luo Tianqi said unwillingly.

Yun Yi clenched his teeth, also wearing a look of reluctance.

Standing here required immense courage.

Yet Ye Yuan wouldn't even give him a chance.

Others chimed in one after another, trying to persuade Ye Yuan to change his mind.

Ye Yuan frowned and said impatiently, "Enough!"

Everyone's expressions changed, and they fell silent.

Ye Yuan said solemnly, "If earning a ranking meant you could become my disciple, do you think Siyu would have waited until today? Drop this matter!"

The incident with Ji Canglan had left an indelible mark on Ye Yuan, so when taking disciples, he naturally preferred quality over quantity.

Ye Yuan did not doubt these people's talent, but what did that have to do with him?

No matter how great their talent, to him they were merely strangers.

The faces of the thirty-nine turned extremely grim.

Ye Yuan was completely unpredictable!

In previous years, these geniuses were highly sought after.

Though those masters appeared aloof, they valued the top few of the assembly greatly.

But Ye Yuan wouldn't even give them a glance.

A group of masters stared dumbfounded at the scene—geniuses they would beg for, Ye Yuan discarded like worn-out sandals.

For a newly rising place like Tianying Imperial City, talent was paramount.

If Ye Yuan swept them all up and took these geniuses as disciples, Tianying Imperial City's strength would surely soar.

Did this guy even understand the situation?

Suddenly, someone in the crowd knelt down. When the crowd looked, it was none other than Yun Yi.

He kowtowed to Ye Yuan and said gravely, "Ye Zongshi, as long as I can become your disciple, Yun Yi is willing to do anything. Yun Yi only begs Ye Zongshi to give me a chance."

Danyu Heavenly Venerate was so angry his face turned green; this situation was completely unexpected.

His own descendant would not bow to him but sought to become another's disciple.

Even if he became another's disciple, that would be one thing, but the other party didn't appreciate it.

Even if they didn't appreciate it, that would be one thing, but he still had to beg for it.

Where was he to put his old face!

"Yun Yi? If I remember correctly, you are Brother Danyu's descendant?"

Yun Yi's expression froze, and he nodded: "Yes, Lord Danyu is Yun Yi's great-grandfather."

Ye Yuan looked at Yun Yi with a half-smile and said, "Then if I asked you to sever ties with Danyu Heavenly Venerate, could you do that?"

At these words, everyone's expressions changed drastically.

Ye Yuan's move was too ruthless!

Danyu Heavenly Venerate shot to his feet and pointed angrily at Ye Yuan: "Ye Yuan, you've gone too far!"

But Ye Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "I already said I'm not taking disciples. He wanted to become my disciple himself. I'm just stating my condition; whether he agrees is up to him."

With that, he looked at Yun Yi and said flatly, "Well?"

Yun Yi shook his head and said, "The ancestor's nurturing grace is higher than the heavens; Yun Yi cannot betray the ancestor. Please, sir, change the condition!"

Hearing this, Danyu Heavenly Venerate's face showed a smug expression, and he sneered, "A fine descendant of my Yun family! Ye Yuan, you brat, you want to drive a wedge between us? Dream on!"

Ye Yuan ignored Danyu Heavenly Venerate entirely and looked at Yun Yi with a smile: "What if this is my only condition?"

Yun Yi took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and said, "If that's the case, Yun Yi would rather not become a disciple. Farewell!"

With that, Yun Yi cupped his hands to Ye Yuan and left without looking back.

"If you want to become a disciple, go to the Tianying Imperial City Alchemy Tower, set aside all your status, and become a little medicine boy. Perhaps one day, I'll consider it."

Just as Yun Yi turned to leave, Ye Yuan suddenly said lazily.

Yun Yi's whole body trembled; he turned around and looked at Ye Yuan in disbelief, puzzled: "Ye Zongshi, this... is this true?"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "If you had shown the slightest hesitation just now, you would have lost your chance. To enter my tutelage, character comes first, temperament second, and talent only third. A man who can betray his own ancestors—what else but an ingrate?"

Yun Yi looked at Ye Yuan in astonishment, finally realizing that Ye Yuan had been testing him.

If he had been tempted just now, he would have lost this only chance.

Yun Yi bowed his head to Ye Yuan and said joyfully, "Disciple pays respects to sir. Yun Yi will go to Tianying Imperial City at once!"

Ye Yuan nodded and said nothing more.

Yun Yi knelt again before Danyu and said, "Ancestor, your descendant is unfilial, but I wish to pursue my own alchemy path. Ye Zongshi is the best choice! I know the ancestor is puzzled, but once you learn of Ning Siyu's achievements, you will understand!"

After speaking, Yun Yi turned and left without looking back, leaving the crowd stunned.

Luo Tianqi's eyes gleamed with sharp light; he also knelt and said, "Sir, can you give Tianqi a chance as well?"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "Any of you who are willing may go. But you must be mentally prepared—the test will not be easy."

Hearing this, everyone was overjoyed.

Seeing this, Ye Yuan only sneered inwardly.

These people underestimated his test too much. They were all pampered young masters from noble families—how could they endure such hardship?

He estimated that at most one-tenth would remain.